System consisting of a supporting guideway tube and movable supporting device for a suspended load

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a system comprising a supporting guideway tube ( 1 ) and a movable supporting device ( 16 ), wherein the supporting device ( 16 ) is arranged so that it can move along a longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube ( 1 ). The supporting device has a suspension device ( 22 ) which is suitable for carrying a suspended load. The suspension device ( 22 ) cooperates with a braking device ( 23 ) of the supporting device ( 16 ) in such a way that a braking action is exerted on the supporting device ( 16 ) according to the load, with respect to a movement of the supporting device ( 16 ) along the supporting guideway tube ( 1 ).

The present invention relates to a system consisting of a supporting guideway tube and a supporting device arranged thereon so that it can move, with a load attached to the supporting device and suspended beneath the supporting guideway tube. In particular, the system consisting of a supporting guideway tube and a supporting device enables a braked movement of a person along the supporting guideway tube. The invention is particularly suitable for use in high rope courses and recreational facilities.

Usually, in a recreational facility of the type underlying the invention, a supporting rope is stretched between supports. The supporting rope has a certain elevation profile with a slope along the route defined by the supporting rope. A pulley-equipped carriage moves downward along the supporting rope due to the force of gravity. A person is suspended in a seat or in a harness beneath the carriage and can enjoy the ride along the predetermined route. The speed of the ride is determined by the weight of the passenger, the slope of the route ng the elevation profile, a possible external acceleration and by a possible braking action triggered by a manually actuated braking device. For the maximum speed of the carriage with a passenger suspended beneath, safety considerations play a role, which must be taken into consideration in the setup of the route with its respective elevation profile.

The Unexamined Published Application US 2009/0078148 A1 shows an arrangement consisting of a rail system suspended on supporting structures by means of cables. Passengers are suspended in a harness from a carriage that travels along the rail system. In an example, the rail system is configured in the form of a single rail as tube with circular cross section. For guidance, the carriage has guide rollers above the rails, and, beneath the rails, it has counter rollers, at a fixed distance from one another, which respectively roll along on the upper side or on the lower side of the rail. A braking device configured as a shoe brake enables either the passenger himself/herself, via a weight displacement, or an installation-side brake triggering device to carry out the braking of the carriage in its movement along the rail.

The disadvantage of the above-described arrangement according to the prior art is that the speed of the carriage and thus of the passenger is determined essentially by his/her own specific weight in addition to the route profile travelled and a braking that is possibly carried out either on the part of the passenger or on the part of the installation operator or that is predetermined by the manufacturer of the installation. An additional disadvantage of the installation according to the prior art consists in that a curvy route guideway makes it desirable to have a reduced speed of the carriage for a passenger due to the additional centrifugal forces then acting, hut this reduced speed has to be obtained by braking triggered by the passenger or by the installation from outside. In the case in which the braking is carried out by the passenger, large differences in the speeds of consecutive passengers can occur.

Therefore, the technical problem to be solved is to provide an arrangement for a rail-guided carriage with a load suspended beneath, which, in a load-dependent and position-dependent manner, ensures a set maximum speed of the rail-guided carriage and thus, as a rule, makes an intervention by the passenger unnecessary.

The problem is solved by the system having the features according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a supporting guideway tube and a movable supporting device.

The supporting device is arranged so that it can be moved, i.e. can be shifted, along a longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube and has a suspension device which is designed to carry a suspended load. The system is characterized in that the suspension device cooperates with a braking device in such a manner that, depending on the load suspended beneath, a braking action is exerted on the supporting device with respect to the movement of the supporting device along the supporting guideway tube. The force of the braking action is thus varied by a force depending on the size of the load.

In the dependent claims, advantageous refinements of the system according to the invention are presented.

Here, it is particularly advantageous if the supporting guideway tube has a circular cross section, and the supporting device is rotatably arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube.

Preferably, the supporting device has at least one supporting roller and at least one counter roller, wherein the supporting roller and the counting roller bear against the supporting guideway tube on approximately facing sides and roll thereon, and generate a braking action due to a resilient deformation of the respective at least one supporting roller and/or counter roller. Here, a clamping action is generated onto the supporting guideway tube between the at least one supporting roller and the at least one counter roller. In an embodiment example, the braking action is varied via a lever arm for the generation of an application force of the counter roller, wherein the lever arm is rotatably mounted on a housing of the supporting device. The suspension device is arranged on a first lever arm section of the lever and the counter roller is rotatably mounted on a second lever arm section in a socket, wherein first and second lever arm sections are arranged in each case in opposite directions from the pivot point of the lever arm.

Moreover, it is particularly advantageous if the supporting device has a centrifugal brake for generating an additional rotational speed-dependent braking action on the supporting device with respect to the movement of the supporting device along the supporting guideway tube, and the rotational speed-dependent braking action of the centrifugal brake depends on a rotational speed of the at least one counter roller. When using several counter rollers, each of the latter can be provided with a centrifugal brake. Alternatively, the centrifugal brake can also be provided on one or more supporting rollers.

In an embodiment, the supporting device additionally has a braking means which is suitable for generating an additional, independent braking action by means of at least one brake block, wherein the at least one brake block engages on the supporting guideway tube.

The system according to a design of the invention is moreover characterized in that the supporting guideway tube has an arc-shaped design in the longitudinal axis at least in some sections, and, in the case of a movement along the longitudinal axis, the supporting device can rotate in an arc-shaped section of the supporting guideway tube due to a centrifugal force acting on the suspension device about the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube, so that the braking action is increased as a result of an increased application pressure on the counter roller.

Preferably, the suspension device has a crosspiece arranged substantially at a tight angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube, wherein, on the crosspiece an actuation means for the braking means can be arranged. The actuation means can actuate the additional braking means, for example, by means of a Bowden cable. The crosspiece can be used as a hand support for a person, wherein the actuation means for the braking means is designed similarly to a hand brake lever of a bicycle brake. In this way, a braking device is made available to the passenger for emergency situations, which is familiar to the passenger and can be operated intuitively without any learning effort.

In a particularly preferred embodiment example, the suspension device has a seat means or a belt means for receiving a person as load.

The system is further characterized in an embodiment in that the supporting guideway tube is arranged by means of cables and/or ropes and/or slings and/or carabiners and/or shackles on trees and/or supporting means. Here, the distance from the ground for the supporting guideway tube must be selected appropriately, so that the suspended load guided along the supporting guideway tube cannot come in contact with any obstacles. Such an attachment enables a flexible construction, which takes into consideration the different requirements resulting from the shape of the terrain, supporting possibilities such as trees, for example, and thus makes it possible for passengers as load to have a special experience of a natural environment.

In a particularly preferable embodiment, the supporting device can comprise a guide means for guiding the supporting device on a flange of the supporting guideway tube, wherein the guide means is designed in a first section by a formation of at least one supporting roller housing of the at least one supporting roller, and, in a second section, it is formed by a tube section encompassing the supporting guideway tube.

Moreover, the supporting device of the system is characterized in that the supporting device is formed as substantially circular in cross section perpendicular to a movement direction along the supporting guideway tube, and the cross section has an opening that is smaller than the diameter of the supporting guideway tube, above the supporting guideway tube, wherein, preferably, the supporting rollers are arranged in pairs immediately adjoining the opening. Thus, a guiding of the supporting device along the supporting guideway tube on the supporting rollers is possible, wherein the opening is suitable for allowing a rotation of the supporting device about the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube in arc-shaped sections of the supporting guideway tube under the influence of a centrifugal force acting on the load.

In an embodiment, the system according to the invention is characterized in that the supporting guideway tube has, in a surface lying underneath, an opening parallel to the longitudinal axis, and in that the supporting device comprises at least one supporting roller and at least one counter roller, wherein the supporting roller and the counter roller bear against facing inner surfaces of the supporting guideway tube, wherein the braking action is generated by a resilient deformation of the respective at least one supporting roller and/or counter roller.

In particular, as well for the supporting guideway tube with interior running surfaces for the at least one supporting roller and the at least one counter roller, a force of the braking action can be varied via a lever arm, wherein the lever arm is rotatably mounted on a housing of the supporting device, the suspension device is arranged on a first lever arm section, and the counter roller is rotatably mounted on a second lever arm section, wherein the first and the second lever arm sections are arranged in each case in opposite directions from a pivot point of the lever arm.

In the presented embodiment, the device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in high rope courses outside of enclosed spaces and in woods and areas with steep slopes.

Below, the arrangement according to the invention is explained in further detail in reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a detail of a high rope course as an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a view of an arrangement of a supporting guideway tube in a high rope course as an embodiment example of the invention in a piece of woodland;

FIG. 3 shows a view of a suspension of a supporting guideway tube in an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a view of a suspension of a supporting guideway tube on a tree in an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a view of a supporting device of an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a view of a supporting device of an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a partial view of a supporting device of an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a view of a supporting device of an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a view of a supporting device with suspension device of an embodiment example of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a view of part of a supporting guideway tube with a flange of an embodiment example; and

FIG. 11 shows a cross section of an attachment sleeve of an embodiment example of the invention.

As an example, FIG. 1 shows the course of a supporting guideway tube 1 in a piece of woodland. In FIG. 1, an arc-shaped section 2 and a substantially straight section 3 of the supporting guideway tube 1 are represented. Here the supporting guideway tube 1 is suspended with ropes 4, 5 on trees 6, 7 at an elevation above the ground 8 that ensures that a load suspended beneath the supporting guideway tube 1, in particular, a person, cannot come in contact with the ground 8 or any obstacles that rise up such as rocks 9 or bushes 10, for example. The suspension can occur by means of ropes made of the usual materials, including also wire, for example. In case of long-term use outdoors, wire ropes present the advantage of high resistance to weather. The use of sling material is also possible and particularly advantageous for the attachment on trees, in order to prevent damaging the tree bark. The basic course resembles that of a dry toboggan run, a particular feature being, however, the course between the trees.

In an embodiment, for the attachment on trees, special sleeves are provided, which allow an adaptation of the sleeve diameter to growth of the trees. The sleeves are composed of several links that are connected to one another, for example, by pins and sleeves. At least one of the links has an attachment possibility, for example, for the steel rope. An increase in the sleeve diameter is possible without problem by hanging additional links in the chain of links thus formed. As a result, the individual links of the sleeve are connected in an articulated manner to one another and adapt to different trunk diameters of a tree 6, 7. In addition, the large contact area ensures that the stress for the tree ends up being low. Cutting in, as in the case of direct suspension using a steel rope, does not occur. As material for the links, for example, corrosion-resistant metal can be selected because of its durability.

In FIG. 2, one can see the downhill guidance of the supporting guideway tube 1 in a straight section 3 along a hill. In the foreground is a flange 11 which extends perpendicularly upward from the supporting guideway tube 1 with its circular cross section. A supporting device 16 which can move on the supporting guideway tube 1 will move along or accelerate without the application of additional accelerating and/or braking forces due to the slope alone as a result of the action of the force of gravity. In additional embodiment examples, for a supporting device 16, an additional acceleration at the beginning of a movement or during the ride is possible. Moreover, it is possible to a drag a supporting device 16 along a section of the supporting guideway tube 1 up to a starting elevation from which a route is to be traveled.

FIG. 3 shows in the foreground a section of the supporting guideway tube 1 in which the two tube portions of the supporting guideway tube 1 abut against one another. At its end represented in FIG. 3, each tube portion of the supporting guideway tube 1 has a flange 11. The flange 11 here extends from the tube portion of the supporting guideway tube 1 vertically upward and it is arranged in its largest longitudinal extent parallel to a longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube 1. As a result, the flange 11 can produce a strengthening of the stiffness of the supporting guideway tube 1 in a vertical loading direction. It is advantageous if the flange 11 is connected over its entire length to the supporting guideway tube 1 by means of a welding seam, for example. The supporting guideway tube is preferably manufactured from a corrosion-resistant metal so that it is durably reliable outdoors.

Each flange 11 has at least one borehole 13 for the mounting of an attachment means. This borehole 13 is used, for example, for suspending a carabiner 12, preferably a locking carabiner or a shackle. In the carabiner, an attachment rope 4, 5 can be suspended by means of a rope loop formed using an appropriate knot. When using a rope 4, 5, the use of a thimble is advantageous. In the representation only one rope is pulled through the carabiner, which represents the simplest type of the attachment. When a lateral guidance is required for preventing undesirable lateral movements, two ropes are preferably used for the suspension, on the other hand. Said ropes are attached in each case by means of a carabiner, for example, to the flange 11. A lateral shifting, as in the case of the rope that runs only through the single carabiner, is then no longer possible.

FIG. 4 shows a loop 14 around a tree 6, 7 as support for the supporting guideway tube 1. In the loop; a carabiner 12 is suspended, and thus a distribution point 15 is formed, from which ropes lead to the flanges 11 of the individual segments of the supporting guideway tube 1. Instead of the loop made of band material, an above-described sleeve is also suitable for the attachment on a tree 6, 7.

In FIG. 5, a supporting device 16 on the supporting guideway tube 1 is shown. The supporting device 16 comprises a housing 19, which encompasses the supporting guideway tube 1 from below in the shape of a circle or a horseshoe and has an opening 20 above the supporting guideway tube 1. On both sides of this opening 20 extending continuously in longitudinal direction, the supporting roller recesses 17.1, 17.2 are arranged, in which, in FIG. 5, in each case two supporting rollers 18 are mounted. The supporting rollers 18 roll along on the supporting guideway tube 1 or its outer circumference and enable a movement of the supporting device 16 along a longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube 1. Moreover, on the housing 19, a braking means 21 can be seen. In the present embodiment example, this braking means is designed in the form of a shoe brake which can generate an additional braking action by means of two brake shoes. The braking means 21 is here designed as a manually and mechanically actuated brake, in which the supporting device 16 is braked by brake shoes (brake blocks) pressed against the supporting guideway tube 1. Preferably, two facing brake shoes are pressed on. This design has the advantage that the supporting guideway tube 1 is not stressed by any disadvantageous bending torques. The shoe brake can be designed with shoes that are rigidly attached to brake levers or, on the other hand, preferably with shoes rotatably mounted on the brake levers. This has the advantage that the brake shoes adjust to a curvature of the supporting guideway tube 1 and thus an even braking is possible. The braking means 21 in the present example is to be actuated mechanically by means of a Bowden cable 27 which is not visible in FIG. 4.

Moreover, in FIG. 5, two suspension means 22.1, 22.2 configured as loops made of belt material can be seen, which, as part of a suspension device 22, lead to a crosspiece not visible in FIG. 5. The suspension means 22.1, 22.2 configured as loops are suspended by locking carabiners in eyelets of the braking device 23. The braking device 23 comprises a lever arm 24 which is rotatably mounted in the housing 19 of the supporting device 16. This lever arm 24 can here be mounted in a housing socket of the housing 19. In the present embodiment example, the lever arm is designed with two arms, wherein the two arms of the lever arm are parallel to one another and firmly connected to one another, so that they always turn together about a pivot point 24.3.

Each arm of the lever arm in each case has a first lever arm section 24.1 and a second lever arm section 24.2. In FIG. 6, it is shown that each arm of the lever arm 24 is rotatably connected in a pivot point 24.3 of the lever arm to the housing 19 of the supporting device 16. In each case, on a first lever arm section 24.1, the loops 22.1, 22.2 are attached in a borehole. By means of these loops 22.1, 22.2, due to the weight of the load (of a person as passenger) on the suspension device 22, a force acting away from the supporting guideway tube 1 substantially vertically downward is exerted on the first lever arm section 24.1. In a curvy ride, the force direction will differ due to the influence of the centrifugal force therefrom and include a radial component. Due to this load-dependent force, the second lever arm section 24.2 is moved upward in the direction of the supporting guideway tube 1. The force with which the two arms of the second lever arm section 24.2 are moved in the direction of the supporting guideway tube 1 here depends on the weight force of the load acting via the suspension device 22 as well as on the dimensioning of the length of the first lever arm section 24.1 and of the second lever arm section 24.2.

In FIG. 5, it is shown that, between the two arms of the second lever arm section 24.2, a rotatable counter roller shaft 26 is arranged, with a counter roller 25 mounted in the middle between the two arms of the second lever arm section 24.2. The counter roller 25 is here connected in a torque-proof manner to the counter roller shaft 26. The force acting upward in the direction of the supporting guideway tube 1, by means of which the two arms of the second lever arm section 24.2 are pressed in the direction of the supporting guideway tube 1, has the effect that the counter roller 25 is pressed against the supporting guideway tube 1. The magnitude of the application pressure depends here on the weight force of the load acting via the suspension device 22, which is transferred via the lever arm 24 of the braking device 23 to the application force of the counter roller 25 onto the supporting guideway tube 1. The supporting device 16 is supported via the supporting rollers 18 in the supporting roller recess 17.1, 17.2 connected to the housing 19 of the supporting device 16 against the supporting guideway tube 1. As a result, the load-dependent application force of the counter roller 25 leads to a clamping action on the supporting guideway tube 1 between the supporting rollers 18 and the counter roller 25. The counter roller 25 and/or the supporting rollers 18 are resiliently deformed depending on the force. In the case of movement of the supporting device 16 along the supporting guideway tube 1, a braking action therefore occurs due to the resilient deformation of the counter roller 25 and/or supporting rollers 18. Due to the cooperation of the weight force of the load on the suspension device 22 and the braking device 23, the resilient deformation and thus the braking action depend on the load, that is to say on a passenger weight, for example. The resilient deformation of the supporting rollers 18 and/or counter roller 25 can be determined by the material selection for the supporting rollers 18 and counter roller 25. Moreover, the form of the supporting rollers 18 and/or counter roller 25 can be determined in accordance with the purpose of the braking action to be achieved due to resilient deformation.

For the case in which the supporting device 16 moves along an arc-shaped section (cu of the supporting guideway tube 1, depending on the speed of the movement, a radial deflection of the load or of the passenger will occur. Thus, the force acting via the suspension device 22 includes an additional centrifugal force component. This additional centrifugal force component is dependent on a speed of the supporting device 16 in the case of the movement along the curve of the supporting guideway tube 1. The higher the speed of the supporting device 16 is, the greater this centrifugal force component is. The force generated due to this additional centrifugal force component on the first lever arm section 24.1 leads via a higher application pressure of the counter roller 25 against the supporting guideway tube to a greater braking action in an arc-shaped section of the supporting guideway tube 1. In particular, the acceleration acting on a passenger as load in curves can be effectively limited in this way, without having to take into consideration special braking measures when setting up the section. The braking device 23 according to the invention therefore has the advantage that, in addition to an automatic load (weight) dependent variation of the braking action, it also has an automatic variation of the braking action in accordance with the route guidance determined by the supporting guideway tube 1. This is advantageous particularly in the case of a route guidance in a wood with the frequently necessary and desirable arc-shaped guidance of the supporting guideway tube 1 in accordance with the tree distribution.

In FIG. 7, in a partial view of the supporting device 16, the arrangement of the braking means 21 for generating an additional braking action is shown. This additional braking means 21 is implemented in the embodiment example as a mechanically actuated shoe brake as commonly used on two-wheelers, for example. Other designs can also be used for the braking means 21. The braking levers 28 of the shoe brake are rotatably mounted on the sides of the housing 19 encompassing the supporting guideway tube 1 and, at the time of the actuation of the braking means 21, they press the brake shoes 29 against the outer surface of the supporting guideway tube 1. As a result, in the case of a movement of the supporting device 16 along the supporting guideway tube 1, an additional braking action can be achieved independently of load and speed. In the present embodiment example, this additional braking action is to be varied mechanically by a passenger by means of an actuation device 34 with a Bowden cable 27. The force of the additional braking action can be predetermined here by an installation operator, so that, when a complete stopping of the movement of the supporting device 16 is not desirable, the braking means 21 can be adjusted accordingly. Thus, safety considerations must be taken into consideration when operating several supporting devices 16 on a supporting guideway tube. The additional braking means 21 can also be designed in order to completely stop the movement of the supporting device 16 along the supporting guideway tube 1 within a predetermined braking distance, in order to implement an emergency brake device. In the present case, this is particularly advantageous if due to the construction of the route in a wood, there is a risk of broken branches or tree trunks on the supporting guideway tube.

Alternative embodiments of the braking means 21 are also possible. They can also provide a hydraulic or electric actuation of the braking means 21. In the same way, a complete stopping of the movement of the supporting device 16 is possible for implementing an emergency brake device by means of the braking means 21 in an alternative embodiment example. In the same way, in an embodiment example, an external actuation can be implemented additionally or alternatively to actuation by a passenger for the braking means 21.

FIG. 7 moreover shows, on the supporting device 16, a guide means for guiding the supporting device on a flange 11 of the supporting guideway tube 1. This guide means consists, in a first section, of a suitable formation of the supporting roller housing (also supporting roller recess) 17.1, 17.2. This formation reduces the distance between the surfaces of the supporting roller recess 17.1, 17.2 facing the opening 20, respectively against the movement direction of the supporting device 16 and in the movement direction of the supporting device 16 over a certain length of the surfaces and thus achieves a substantially trapezoidal cross section in the cross section of the supporting roller recess 17.1, 17.2 with the housing 19. This guide means can be supplemented with a bracket designed as a bent metal tube in accordance with the representation in FIG. 7, which forms a tube section encompassing the supporting guideway tube 1.

Thus, in the case of an excessive deflection of the opening 20 from the vertical axis, a passage of the flange 11 of the supporting guideway tube 1 is made possible.

In FIG. 8, a partial view of the supporting device 16 placed on the supporting guideway tube 1 is shown. On both sides of the opening 20 of the housing 19, the recesses 17.1, 17.2 for the supporting rollers are represented. The supporting guideway tube 1 has a circular cross section. The supporting device 16 can rotate at a certain angle about a rotation axis that corresponds substantially to the central axis of the supporting guideway tube 1. This angle is limited by the width of the opening 20, which corresponds to the distance between the supporting roller recesses 17.1, 17.2. Thus, a radial deflection of a load suspended on the suspension device 22 is possible due to the influence of a centrifugal force in a curve of the supporting guideway tube 1.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the opening 20 enables a movement of the supporting device 21 along the supporting guideway tube 1 independently of the flange 11. In the example shown, the flange 11 is always arranged at the top on the outer circumference of the supporting guideway tube 1. This arrangement corresponds to the arrangement of the opening 20 of the housing 19 between the supporting roller recesses 17.1, 17.2. In the embodiment example shown, the supporting rollers 18 are always arranged in pairs. However, other arrangements are also possible.

Beneath the supporting guideway tube 1 enclosed by the housing 19 of the supporting device 16 whose cross section is nearly circular, the counter roller shaft 26 is shown with a counter roller 25 rotatably arranged thereon. The counter roller 25 can be braked particularly preferably by an additional speed-dependent braking means. This speed-dependent braking means is implemented in the present embodiment example as a centrifugal brake.

The centrifugal brake is suitable for protecting devices with rotating elements from excessive rotational speeds by limiting the rotational speed. The centrifugal brake is made up of the main parts which are a core on the drive side, which is provided with fly weights and retention springs, and a respective brake drum 31.1, 31.2, which is in each case firmly connected to an arm of the second lever arm section 24.1, 24.2. The brake mounted on the counter roller shaft 26 with the counter roller 25 starts to brake the counter roller shaft 26 at a defined rotational speed of the counter roller 25. For this purpose, the fly weights, due to the centrifugal force and against the retention spring, separate from their starting position in the hub of the counter roller shaft 26 and they bear with friction linings of the fly weights against the inner diameter of the brake drum 31.1, 31.2 (brake bell). As a result, a braking torque is generated, which acts against the turning moment of the counter roller shaft 26. The centrifugal brake converts the mechanical (kinetic) energy into heat which arises between friction lining and brake drum 26.1, 26.2 and which substantially heats the brake drum 26.1, 26.2. As soon as the speed of rotation of the counter roller shaft drops, the fly weights are pulled back again into their initial position by traction springs.

In an embodiment example, the centrifugal brake has a direct and torque-proof connection between counter roller 25 and core of the centrifugal brake via the counter roller shaft 26. In the same way, a connection is possible by means of a transmission between a rotational speed of the counter roller 25 with respect to a rotational speed of the core of the centrifugal brake. The transmission ensures a further setting of the admissible speed of the supporting device 16 and an advantageous design of the technical characteristics of the centrifugal brake to be used.

The centrifugal brake cannot brake the supporting device 16 to a stop, but it can counteract an undesirably high speed, i.e., the speed fluctuates in an equilibrium state between a load moment and a braking torque. The generated braking torque is a function of the rotational speed of the counter roller shaft 26 and thus of the speed of the supporting device 16 relative to the supporting guideway tube 1.

In the present embodiment example, the centrifugal brake has the advantages that a braking action occurs without external energy supply or actuation, and a maximum speed of the supporting device 16 along the supporting guideway tube 1 can be ensured in accordance with the elevation profile of the route or the slope of the route in an appropriate way. As a result, the operator of a route is provided with an additional degree of freedom when selecting the slope of the route profile, since, starting from a speed of the supporting device 16 with respect to the supporting guideway tube 1, which is predetermined by the dimensioning of the centrifugal brake and in particular the resetting springs, additional braking action occurs.

As in the embodiment example represented, the centrifugal brake is preferably implemented so that it engages on the counter roller 25. An implementation for the supporting rollers 18 is possible in the same way. An implementation on the counter roller 25 is advantageous, since, for the counter roller 25 an application against the outer surface of the supporting tube is ensured at all times via the force exerted by the lever arm 24. In particular, the application force of the counter roller 25 is advantageously implemented by the lever arm 24 and the elevation of the weight of the load or the weight of the passenger and thus also the efficiency of the centrifugal brake.

FIG. 9 shows a view of essential components of the suspension device 22 of the explained embodiment example. The suspension device 22 comprises two loops 22.1, 22.2 each of which is attached to an arm of the first lever arm section 24.1, 24.2. Moreover, the loops in each case are led through upper eyelets 35.1, 35.2 on a crosspiece 32. In the present embodiment example, the upper eyelets are arranged on the crosspiece 32, spaced apart by approximately the width across the shoulders. The crosspiece 32 will therefore align without external force application substantially at a right angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube 1. At both ends, the crosspiece 32 protrudes past the upper eyelets 35.1, 35.2, in order to provide the passenger with a handle similar to handlebars of a bicycle. The crosspiece 32 can be implemented, for example, as a rod or tube. At one end of the crosspiece 32, an actuation device 34 for the braking means 21 is arranged. In the embodiment example shown, this actuation means is implemented as a hand lever. The Bowden cable 27 connects the actuation means 27 to the braking means 21 and enables the mechanical actuation of the braking means 21. The crosspiece in addition has bottom eyelets 36.1, 36.2 through which the load loops 22.3, 22.4 are led. In the depicted embodiment of the example, the load loops 22.3, 22.4 support a person in a harness as load by means of a load suspension device 33 implemented as a locking carabiner, for example.

In addition to a passenger in a harness, in other embodiments of the invention, the suspension device 22 can comprise a seat or a seat belt.

In FIG. 10, a view of a portion of a supporting guideway tube 1 with a flange 11 according to an embodiment example of the invention is shown. In the present example, an end of a section of a supporting guideway tube 1 is shown, which is adjoined by a correspondingly formed counter piece of an additional section of a supporting guideway tube 1 to form a route. In order to achieve the most seamless and thus vibration-free rolling of the supporting device 16 possible, an inner tube section 40 with an appropriate diameter for leading into the section and into the additional section of the supporting guideway tube 1 is used. In an embodiment example, this inner tube section has a length of approximately 60 cm and is made of aluminum. The flange 11 is connected to the supporting guideway tube 1 by means of a welding seam 37 which, in a preferred embodiment example, can also extend over the entire length of the flange 11. In the depicted example, a rope 4 is led through the borehole 13 of the flange. The rope 4 is added, for example, by means of a clamping device, to an eyelet, into which a thimble 41 is inserted. The flange 11 is configured with reduced thickness in a flange section 38. The flange section 38 bears flatly against a part of an additional flange 11, which protrudes from a tube end of the additional section of the supporting guideway tube 1. In the present example, the flange section 38 is to be firmly connected to the protruding part of the additional flange 11 by means of a screw connection through the boreholes 39 and corresponding boreholes of the part of the additional flange 11. The above represented design of the supporting guideway tube 1 should be understood as a possible embodiment example among many. Other versions that ensure a stable connection and suspension of the supporting guideway tube 1 are also possible. Screw connections on flange 11 or supporting guideway tube 1 can be implemented particularly advantageously by a flush countersunk screw.

The supporting guideway tube is preferably produced from a stainless steel in order to ensure a lastingly safe and corrosion-resistant guiding of the supporting device.

In FIG. 11, a horizontal cross section of an attachment sleeve 45 around a tree 6, 7 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The attachment sleeve 48 comprises several protective means 42, 49 which are arranged so that they enclose the tree 6, 7 in the shape of a ring and which bear directly against the bark of the tree 6, 7. In a simple case, squared or round wood can be used, for example, as protective means 42, 49. In FIG. 4, the squared wood pieces 42, 49 are shown in the direction of their cross section. A squared wood piece 49 is represented in FIG. 11 in a partial section. In cross section, the squared wood piece 49 features, for example, a groove 47 as illustrated again in an additional squared wood piece. Around the tree 6, 7, a chain 45 is placed on an outer surface around protective means or squared wood pieces 42, 49. This chain 45 is to be tensioned continuously by means of an end fitting and a tensioning belt 50 attached thereto, using the tensioning means 46. An approximate adjustment of the circumference of the combination of chain 45 and tensioning belt 50 is possible by changing the hanging of individual chain links, while a fine adjustment is possible by tensioning the belt using the tensioning means 46. The tensioning means 46 can be implemented, for example, as a pulling eyelet with ratchet tensioner. The tensioning belt 50 can be, for example, in the form of a woven band made of polyester or nylon, which is prestretched in order to achieve a small amount of elongation under tension when used in the present example.

Such links of the chain 45, which are oriented in horizontal direction, can protrude into the protective means 42 due to the groove 47 with their side oriented towards the center of the tree. As a result, a flat application of the vertically oriented chain links is made possible. The mechanical stress on the protective means decreases, as a result of which the inspection intervals can be increased.

For ensuring safety, a steel rope is provided, in addition, by means of which the ends of the chain 45 can be connected to one another. This safeguard keeps the chain 45 approximately in its intended position, even in the case in which the tensioning belt 50 fails, for example, due to aging. The steel rope can be provided either only in the area between the ends of the chain or it can be arranged circumferentially around the tree.

The above described design of the supporting guideway tube 1 is a suspension that protects a tree 6, 7 and its bark. The adaptation to trunk diameters of a tree 6, 7, which change over the course of years, is possible without problem. With the above-described attachment sleeve 48, for example, using a chain and a carabiner connected thereto, a distribution point 15 for the attachment of ropes 4, 5 is to be implemented.

The above-described embodiment example has a supporting guideway tube 1 and, running on its outer surface, supporting rollers 18 and clamping roller 25. In a second embodiment example, a supporting guideway tube 1 is proposed, which has a supporting device 16 designed in accordance with it, whose supporting rollers 18 and clamping roller 25 roll along an inner surface of the supporting guideway tube 1. The supporting guideway tube 1 of the second embodiment example, for the suspension of the load, has a slit on the side of the supporting guideway tube 1 facing the ground 8, in longitudinal direction. The second embodiment example is to be used particularly advantageously in wet conditions, since the running surfaces are here protected from precipitation such as rain or snow.

The supporting guideway tube 1 can also have a rectangular cross section perpendicular to the movement direction.

Here it should be noted in particular that, in addition to the braking due to the resilient deformation of one or more rollers, the additional devices for braking such as a centrifugal brake or block brake can also be present.

The invention is not limited to the presented embodiment examples. Instead, all the described features of the presented embodiments of the system according to the invention can advantageously be combined with one another. 

1. System comprising a supporting guideway tube and a movable supporting device, wherein the supporting device is arranged so that it can move along a longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube, the supporting device has a suspension device suitable for carrying a suspended load, characterized in that the suspension device cooperates with a braking device of the supporting device in such a way that a braking action is exerted on the supporting device according to the load, with respect to a movement of the supporting device along the supporting guideway tube.
 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting guideway tube has a circular cross section, and the supporting device is rotatably arranged in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube.
 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting device has a supporting roller and at least one counter roller, wherein the supporting roller and the counter roller bear against the supporting guideway tube, and that the braking action is generated by resilient deformation of the respective at least one supporting roller and/or counter roller.
 4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the force of the braking action is varied via a lever arm, wherein the lever arm is rotatably mounted on a housing of the supporting device, and that in a first lever arm section, the suspension device is arranged, and, on a second lever arm section, the counter roller is rotatably mounted, wherein the first and second lever arm sections are arranged in each case in opposite directions from a pivot point of the lever arm.
 5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting device moreover has a centrifugal brake for generating an additional, rotational speed-dependent braking action on the supporting device with respect to the movement of the supporting device along the supporting guideway tube, wherein the rotational speed-dependent braking action depends on a rotational speed of the at least one counter roller.
 6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting device has a braking means suitable for generating an additional braking action by means of at least one brake shoe, wherein the at least one brake shoe engages on the supporting guideway tube.
 7. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting guideway tube is designed in the shape of an arc in the longitudinal axis at least in some sections, and the supporting device, in the case of a movement along the longitudinal axis, can be rotated in an arc-shaped section of the supporting guideway tube by a centrifugal force acting on the suspension device about the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube, so that the braking action is increased due to an increased application pressure on the counter roller.
 8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension device comprises a crosspiece arranged substantially at a right angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the supporting guideway tube, and, on the crosspiece, an actuation means for the braking means is arranged.
 9. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the suspension device comprises a seat means or a belt means for receiving a person as load.
 10. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting guideway tube is arranged suspended by means of cables and/or ropes and/or slings and/or carabiners and/or shackles on trees and/or supporting means.
 11. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting device-comprises a guide means for guiding the supporting device on a flange of the supporting guideway tube, wherein the guide means is designed, in a first section in the movement direction, by a formation of at least one supporting roller housing of the at least one supporting roller, and, in a second section, it is formed by a tube section encompassing the supporting guideway tube.
 12. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting device has a substantially circular shape in a cross section perpendicular to a movement direction along the supporting guideway tube, and the cross section has an opening which is smaller than the diameter of the supporting guideway tube, above the supporting guideway tube, wherein the supporting rollers are arranged in pairs immediately adjoining the opening.
 13. System according to claim 1, characterized in that, in a surface lying underneath, the supporting guideway tube has an opening parallel to the longitudinal axis, and that the supporting device has at least one supporting roller and at least one counter roller, wherein the supporting roller and the counter roller bear against an inner surface of the supporting guideway tube, and that the braking action is generated by resilient deformation of the respective at least one supporting roller and/or counter roller.
 14. System according to claim 13, characterized in that the force of the braking action is varied via a lever arm, wherein the lever arm is rotatably mounted on a housing of the supporting device, and that, on a first lever section, the suspension device is arranged, and, on a second lever arm section, the counter roller is rotatably mounted, wherein first and second lever arm sections are arranged in each case in opposite directions from a pivot point of the lever arm.
 15. System according to claim 13, characterized in that the supporting device moreover has a centrifugal brake for generating an additional, rotational speed-dependent braking action on the supporting device with respect to the movement of the supporting device along the supporting guideway tube, wherein the rotational speed-dependent braking action depends on a rotational speed of the at least one counter roller and/or that the supporting device has a braking means suitable for generating an additional braking action by means of at least one brake shoe, wherein the at least one brake shoe engages on the supporting guideway tube. 